Sony DRU-830A detail information
| Posted by | Zevi A. |
| Posted on | 27/11/06 06:56 |
| Number of views | 36437 |
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Product | Sony DRU-830A |
| Description | Sony’s twelfth generation multi-format DVD burner now has the capability of burning DVD±R discs at up to amazing 18X speed. |
Positive:
- Comprehensive retail bundle and includes extra black bezel
- Feature-rich software package suite from Nero 7
- Supports CD-R/RW writing at 48x/32x
- Supports DVD+R and DVD-R writing at 18x
- Supports DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL writing at 8x
- Supports DVD-RAM read/write at 12x
- Reads DVD-Video SL/DL at 16x/12x
- Supports disc quality (PI/PO) scanning
- Good writing quality on CD-R, DVD+R/-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+R/-R DL
- Supports bitsetting for DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL (booktype DVD-ROM)
- A “Two Sheep” writer
- Supports writing and reading 99 minutes CD-R media
Negative:
- Some CD-RW and DVD+RW media compatibility needs improving
- Reads CD-RW/CD-DA only at 40x
- Reads DVD±R at 12x, DVD±RW at 8x and DVD±R DL at 8x
- Does not support overburning 4600MB DVD+R media
- Turbo Boost (48x CD-R/ROM read/write) is disabled by default
Conclusion:
Let us summarize the most important positive and negative points below:
The main positive points: Following our tests we found that this drive is a very good Multi DVD burner. The Sony DRU-830A is called “Multi DVD Burner” since it supports recording on all available media formats including CD-R/RW, DVD±R/±RW, DVD±R Double/Dual Layer, and DVD-RAM. It is packed with a comprehensive software suite from Nero Burning ROM 7 which is worth the extra retail price. In addition to the beige/silver bezel, you will also get an extra black bezel to match your desktop case color.
The 18x DVD+R and DVD-R writing on our media produced very good quality. The drive writes CD-R media very fast with very good quality. It also supports reading and writing special 99 minutes CD-R without any problem. DVD-RAM was read and write supports at 12x is a very nice feature. The drive supports transfer mode ”Ultra DMA Mode 4” which provides higher data throughput and allowed to be placed in an external enclosure for high speed burning and reading without any slowdowns.
In our DAE quality test it shows that the extracting quality is excellent. The Advanced Tests specify that the Sony drive can be categorized as a “Two Sheep” writer, which implies that it should be sufficient for backing up copy protected discs. Lastly, the Sony DRU-830A supports disc quality scanning that can be use to report PI/PO errors.
The main negative points: There are few issues that we would like to mention and see them improved. The Sony DRU-830A reads CD-RW and CD-Audio at only 40x and DVD±R/RW/DL at 12x/8x/8x speed while other competitors can read them at faster speed.
Improvements are also needed in the area of CD-RW and DVD+RW write quality. The writing quality is poor showing the presence of C2 errors for CD-RW and high PIF errors for DVD+RW. Finally, a small shortcoming of Sony DRU-830A is the lack of overburning support for 4600MB DVD+R which might be useful for experienced users.
Final Thoughts: To sum it all up, this is what we would say: “Sony DRU-830A is overall a fine and good performance Multi DVD Burner.”
By using our CD Freaks price grabber feature we found the retail Sony DRU-830A is listed at $79.99 (November 2006).
You may discuss/comment this review below or in this forum thread.
Thanks to:
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JVC USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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Maxell USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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Memorex USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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Optodisc USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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Rima.com USA – For providing Taiyo Yuden media used in this review. |
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Advanced Media/Ritek-USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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Verbatim USA – For providing the media used in this review. |
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ExtremeMhz – For providing the Maxell 12x DVD-RAM media used in this review. |

The DRU-830A has performed brilliantly, burning a whole load of DVDs that the ND-3450A refused to do.
I'm not too bothered if it's actually a Samsung, or a Ford as long as it does the job well!
I chose Sony because their products are generally very good and on the rare occasions when they have underperformed, Sony have been reassuringly good at putting things right.
Yes I did pay a bit more than for some of the other decks, but I was really desperate. Normally I bite the pennies in half, but when you think of what you are doing when writing precious video to disc, or backups etc., you really need to be confident that the drive works reliably. which this one has done so far.
Nero 7 Essentials (bundled with the DRU-830A) seems a useful package, BUT:
- It doesn't seem to have been written by MS Windows fanatics, as everything works in a peculiar way, taking a bit of getting used to. Certainly not untuitive.
- It's also very crammed with features, which is fine as long as you can remember where to find them!


My Sony 810A dies and the replacement was the DRU-830A. The firmware was upgraded to SS23. But the performance when reading DVDs is very slow. For example burning a 1 GB data disk (Nero 7) takes a few minutes, but the verification takes 22 minutes (most of the time at less than 1X). Many Many Many calls to Sony did not change anything. I tried to join the forum here but the code does not appear on the registration page. A note to the webmaster has gone unanswered.
What's the best DVD burner in terms of speed and quality data? The 810A was acceptable buy Sony will no longer sell me one.










The drive burns correctly CDs, DVD-Rs, DVR-RWs, reads them. But starting from today it refuses to read DVD-Rs, still continue to read all other formats and as well burning DVD-Rs.
In first days it read DVD-Rs
I have called the Sony’s UK hotline, they suggested upgrading my firmware and that’s what I did. I upgraded it from SS23 to SS25. Still the problem persists.



_Second, when write CD-RW, it not recognizes ELGIN CD-RW 12x (IF12X80 AG41..) with 12x, it recognizes how to 10x. The results of record not open in some CD-drives. Strangely, the DVD RW it appeared with hole, without scratch and kept in DVD case
. The laser of the drive open the hole in CD-RW and my DVD+RW discs?
, i´m investigating.
_third, well, after this problems, the DRU-830 is bealtiful and record very well DVD+R till moment. Need improve with more discs registered to recognizes speed (DVDs+-R) and record quality, especially RWs


mine works lyk a charm xcept dat it recognises discs as 4.29 gb instead of 4.7 gb
wots wrong?


wots wrong? "
oops stupid mistake. 4got computer recognition is diiferent. pls ignore it.


"hey Italo Valerio. to turn on dma uninstall the ide controller from device manager and restart. then the windows will automatically reinstall it and enable dma. "
- I had make this, but not work. In PC of my friend witch have Samsung happen the same, i did try to make this changes but only swapping drives an turn again worked.









my dvd riter sOny DRU-170C giving me same things. it isnt reading any of DVD s and saying that insereted disc is a blank cd (instead of a DVD ).all of my frnds having same problem . it s IC problem .
The IC of sony dvd riter /cd riter is faulty !
and they arent taking pains to rectify the errOr!
sony sucks!!!!


P.S
http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/firmware.htm


The drive does not support Book Typing therefore making a good Double Layer (ROM) DVD is impossible.
I personally feel with most stores carring blank DVD's there is a large market for making back-up copies of your DVDs and Sony has missed the boot on this issue!
The Lie-On DVD Burners is a better choice for those of use who have a need to make back-up copies of their DVDs and no drive that does not support BOOK TYPING should not be considdered!



Happened with: 2 discs SONY DVD+RW AccuCORE (VER. 1.2), 1 DVD-RW Opto Digital (OTC -W84083N0 W004), 1 DVD+RW OPTO DIGITAL (OTC+W84169N0 0P4), 1 DVD+RW HP (PHILIPS ODTC 1-4X D25051). Loose 2 Elgin DVD+DL discs too, no burn second layer.
I wait till now, waiting an firmware version to correct RW problems. I no have time to wait more.
I like the quality burns of DVD-R/+R, its beautiful drive but i need good RW drive.
Good luck to all users.




I have the same problem stated above.. the drive reads a DVD-R16x as an emtpy CD disc... i updated the firmware like Chris_504 suggested, still nothing.
The DVD disc works fine on another computer. Any ideas?? Thanks


Updating Nero to version 7 which came with the drive achieved nothing.
I've yet to get home and try the advice received today from Sony Tech, which follows:
Dear Sony Valued Customer,
Please go through these steps:
Standard controller/disable DMA/disable CD Recording
Please ensure the system is in the correct configuration:
1. Change the main controller you have to a Standard Dual Channel Controller
Open the Device Manager(open up the Start menu, right click on My Computer,
left click on Properties, click on the button labeled Device Manager under
the Hardware tab
Click on the + next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
A Primary IDE channel, Secondary IDE channel, and a PCI Controller
(sometimes an Intel or SIS or VIA) will be listed
Double click on the controller, click on the Driver tab, then click on the
Update Driver button
This will open up the Hardware Update Wizard, if it asks if Windows can
search select No, and click Next
Choose "Install from a List or Specific Location," and click Next
Select "Don't Search, I will Choose a Driver to Install" and click Next
Under "Model" select the Standard Dual Channel controller and click Next
Click "Finish"
At that point a window will appear with Standard Dual Channel printed at the
top. Close this, but do not restart your system if it prompts you to.
2. Disable DMA:
· Double click on the Secondary IDE Channel.
· Click on the Advanced Settings tab.
· Change the Transfer Mode for Device 0 from DMA to PIO.
· Click OK
3. Disable CD Recording:
Open up My Computer.
Right click on the Sony drive and left click on Properties.
Click on the Recording Tab, uncheck the box next to "Enable CD Recording on
this drive".
Click apply and okay.
Also, you may wish to visit our website at http://sony.storagesupport.com
This website has manuals and drivers for our products as well as FAQ's.
Thank you,
Melissa
Sony Technical Support
---------------------------------------------------------------
Good luck fellow 830 victims.








I bought two of these drives so that I could have a reliable system and my issues are the same.
I bought sony for the same reason I buy Toyota. I thought that I was buying quality.
What pieces of doodoo...and of course they are now a few months old so I can't just walk them back into the store.
Please if anyone comes up with the answer email me directly.
Thanks
JT
jaxmut@hotmail.com


THat was a quote from the review above. What a crock. Like Siskel and Ebert are going to say a new movie sux.
I've thought of taking my computer into Best Buy, let them get these P.O.S.s working and then sending the BIll to Sony









This message was edited at: 16-03-2008 15:21


Stops being seen by windows. Junk





Dru 830 a is pure madness... Are you complaining about "complex" things like recording? Well let me tell you about the most shitty issue on this player/recorder... My dru 830 wouldn't play movie dvd's correctly... And I bought this unit to enjoy the capabilities of my computer to watch movies... At this moment I have no money to afford a new dvd-rw... I've tried everything... from the new firmware to the IDE device set up thingy. none of them worked...
The error message when playback? "Css copy protection failed"
I'm really pissed off...



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